Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-09-09
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
REPORTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS IN
SEeBERGER'S CASE SUBMITTED.
Commissioners Lyman and Oberly strong
ly Criticize that OhciaIs Actions aud
Commissioner Egerton approves
1hem in the Case of Webster.

Criticize that Omcials Actions aud
Commissioner Egerton approves
1hem in the Case of Webster
WAsIINGToN, Sept The civil ser.
vice commission has submitted to the
president a report of the investigation OF
the complaint made by George A. Web
ster against Anthony f. Seberger, collec
tor of Chicago, charging violations of the
civil service law. The report consists of
the opinion of the commission, signed by
Commissioners Oberly and Lyman, re
port to the commission by Commissioner
Egerton and another by Commissioner
Lyman, who confines himself principals
to the testimony submitted at the inves-
tigation. Webster says he was com
PEELED to resign his place in the appraisers
Office of the Chicago customs district, not
because he was Inefficient undutlful, in
subordinate, dishonest or for any other
good cause, but because he was a repub-
lican and the collector desired to put a
democrat into the place. In the com
plant Webster says that the collector in
formed him that no complaint was urged
.
which were excellent, but that owing to
great pressure it was necessary that va
CancieS should be made that the cOlec-
tor said you must remember our party
has been out OF power % years, YOU
should be thankful for having been al
lowed to stay two years under a demo.
cratic administration"
Webster, the Ol'ni)n continues, was
compelled to resign Collector Seberger
replied that the resignation was made tor
reasons amply strong, and he had acted
III strict conformity with the civil service
law as understood by him. In the testi-
mony before the commissioners Seberger
denied having said anything to Webster
that coulu be construed into Il declaration
that the request for his resignation was
prompted by political reasons
The reasons for the removal said Sc
berger, were in my own mind and keep
ing" These he refused to state. The
Opinion observes that while Seberger
states emphatically he did not say to
Webster that the resignation had been
demanded for political reasons, he
did not inform him that such were not
the reasons. Attention is called to the
fact that Webster was not given the bene-
fit of the law which requires the heads OF
executive departments in making a re
duction to retain those equally qualified
who had been hOnorably discharged sol
diers or sailors Webster is an honorably
discharged wounded soldier, passed the
| civil service ard customs examination
| with an average of 9O.5 per cent and hi.
| conduct and capacity were satisfactory
during the probationary term. He wa,
| promoted for faithful and efficient service
! His competency Collector Seeberger doe.
not deny offensive partisanship was moi
shown by the testimony. In an affidavit
! Webster swears he was never a politician
never attended caucus or convention d,
a delegate and but once as a spectator
| He had, however, strong and honest DO
| litical views, always held in Quie
gentlemanly way, keeping always in view
Of the right of Others who might differ
| Strong political views, says the opinion
Webster had the right to entertain anC
| during the time he held public place i
was his right to give at proper times
strong expression TO those views Tn,
opinion is not to he tolerated that becaus,
man occupies place in the classified
civil service he must therefore surrende
| the right to take an interest in the polite.
OF the country. No good citizen will &c
so. No degree of activity in the effort t,
advance the interest of the party opposed
to the administration should, provided
partisan activity in no way interfere witt
his public duties, render insecure in the
service the position fanny person who doe.
not occupy place, the discharge of the
duties of which affects the public policies
The Opinion criticizes what it terms
Commissioner Egerton's evident attempt
toJustify Collector See berger in his refusa
to permit his reasons for demanding Web
ster's resignation to escape his "owl
mind and keeping" and the position taker
by Commissioner Egerton that the rule
requiring reasons for such removal
would result in the restriction or the
power OF removal is pronounced unten-
able The, practice now in vogue in the
treasury department and in the Chcas
postoflice cited in support of this position
maintains that there is no cause why rea
sons should not be given for the remova
of good man.
In conclusion the commission espresso,
dissent from Commissioner Ederton'.
censure OF the civil service reform league.
and association and particularly of tn,
civil service reform league of Chicago, anC
saws It's observation has discovered II,
purpose of any of them to antagonize tn,
administration or to in any way embarras
1t in the enforcement of the civil seryic,
law and rules.